NDP stands in solidarity with LGBTTQ* community

The NDP or the New Democratic Party of Canada is a left leaning group on the political spectrum.  This socially democratic party has always been recognized for their support of minority groups within our nation.  This included members of the LGBTTQ* group whom often struggle to find a place in our society where their needs are met and basic rights are acknowledged and achieved.  We live in a nation where there is growing support for members of this group, and the social democrats are the fundamental believers who promote freedom and equality.  According to Mullaly, “social democrats believe that a reduction in inequalities reduces feelings of isolation or alienation and creates a greater sense of belonging or social cohesion” (Mullaly, 2007,).  They advocate co-operation, acceptance, and freedom and strive to eliminate policies and belief systems that encourage oppression and exclusion.  The New Democratic Party of Canada has been very vocal in their support of the gay community. “Happy Pride!” states Jack Layton, the late leader of the NDP party, back in June.  “As Pride celebrations take place across Canada, I am proud to stand in solidarity with members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and transsexual communities, along with all my New Democrat colleagues.” (NDP.ca, 2011) In this statement, Layton acknowledges the importance of pride festivals, claiming that they promote awareness to the public regarding members of the LGBTTQ* who still face discrimination and violence to this day.  He also acknowledges an incentive to reintroduce Bill Siksay’s Transgender Rights bill.  This bill was reintroduced by NDP LGBTT critic, Randall Garrison, and it firmly gives Transgendered and Transsexual Canadians rights under the Human Rights Act, as well as protection against hate-crimes under the provision of the Criminal Code (Dale Smith, Xtra.ca, 2011).  These policies fall in line with typical social democratic ideologies where “working within the parliamentary system and achieving socialism through democratic and evolutionary change” (Mullaly, 2007,) is the answer to societal issues.

 Another example of trying to change and implement policies within the system is the rise of the Purple Letter Campaign which focuses on developing gender and sexual orientation policies in schools in British Colombia.  The BC NDP party is in full support of this policy because they promote the rights of individuals in the LGBTTQ* community. Even Layton himself has spoken on behalf of his party in support of Anti-Bullying Day, addressing bullying within schools as a serious issue that is in need of public recognition (NDP.ca, 2011). Despite the fact that MLAs from both the NDP and Liberal parties have agreed to sit down with the campaign organizers of the Purple Letter Campaign, they have recieved explicit support from the NDP party, whereas the Liberal party has expressed "quiet support" (Moreau, 2011).  This explicit support from the NDP is consistent with their ideology, which promotes equality of condition and are therefore more active in intorducing policies such as these.  The Liberal party, however, is inclined to promote equal opportunity, which lies more in the hands of the individual, hence their "quiet support" of this campaign.

I would say that it’s obvious where the NPD party stands in terms of their goals to change policies to include and protect the rights of LGBTTQ* members, and I commend them for their unwavering support. I hope they continue to campaign for the rights of LGBTTQ* members, as well as other minority groups. We’ll miss you, Jack Layton.

  -   Julia

References:

Dale Smith (Sept, 2011). Trans bill reintroduced in House of Commons, Xtra!.ca. Retrieved from: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Trans_bill_reintroduced_in_House_of_Commons-10807.aspx

Jack Layton (June, 2011). Statement from New Democrat leader Jack Layton on Pride, New Democratic Party of Canada, Retrieved from: http://www.ndp.ca/press/statement-from-new-democrat-leader-jack-layton-on-pride

Jack Layton (Feb, 2011). Statement from New Democrat leader Jack Layton on Anti-Bullying Day, New Democratic Party of Canada, Retrieved from: http://www.ndp.ca/press/statement-by-new-democrat-leader-jack-layton-on-anti-bullying-day-0

Moreau, Jennifer (September 16, 2011). Activist launches 'purple' campaign: Hopes to see all schools, including private ones, adopt gay-positive policies. Retrieved from: http://www.burnabynow.com/life/Activist+launches+purple+campaign/5411698/story.html

Mullaly, R. P., (2007). The new structural social work (3^rd Ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press

Image from: http://www.glaaforum.org/glaa_forum/2011/08/ndp-leader-jack-layton-dies-in-canada.html